Barrow 1
Tranmere 1

Ollie Banks scored a second- half penalty against his former paymasters to earn Barrow a first home Sky bet League Two point of the year.

And Mark Cooper’s side went close to turning this battling draw into a second victory in four days.

Captain Fantastic Banks, suspended for the 2-0 defeat at Prenton Park on Boxing Day, notched his 11th goal of the season after 58 minutes for handball against Josh Dacres-Cogley.

Rovers, unbeaten against AFC in the Football League since 1969, had led from the 16th minute through Sunderland loanee Josh Hawkes.

It was hardly a classic for Barrow’s highest league attendance of the season – 3,699 – but the home fans saw a dogged performance against one of the division’s top sides.

Barrow received a pre-match boost with Luke James’ decision to extend his stay at the club until the end of 2023.

And the former Hartlepool midfielder kept his place in an unchanged starting line-up following the badly needed 1-0 win at Northampton courtesy of Aaron Amadi-Holloway.

That meant a debut off the bench for defender Niall Canavan, signed in midweek from Bradford City.

It took Banks only 12 minutes before collecting his 14th booking of the season for a foul on Kieron Morris

John Rooney, back for a second spell at Holker Street, and Amadi-Holloway both made their first appearances in front of the Bluebirds faithful since their recent signings.

Barrow opted to play with the gale-force wind in the opening half; several times keeper Paul Farman, blessed with a strong kick at the best of times, booting the ball from one penalty area to the other.

But it didn’t prove an advantage as Rovers, despite conceding possession and territory, hit the front after 15 minutes.

Working the ball to Hawkes on the edge of the area, he received time and space to curl a low right foot shot past Farman.

Opposite number Ross Doohan’s only concern was trying to reach half-way with his clearances though Rooney was only just off target with a looping header.

Rovers could have doubled their lead after 29 minutes but for Tom Beadling’s brilliant block on Kane Hemmings’ shot after Morris dispossessed careless Connor Brown.

Back came Barrow and Holloway should probably have done better with a close-range header from Banks’ teasing cross.

However, the Wirral visitors were the better side and Sam Foley’s stinging goal-bound hit was again blocked for another corner. Barrow’s first corner came in first half stoppage time but the overhit delivery summed up a disappointing opening period display.

Brown picked up his ninth caution after 55 minutes with Hemmings’ suggesting to referee Oliver Langford it should have been red with the Barrow man potentially the last defender.

Then came the spot kick lifeline and Banks sent Doohan the wrong way from 12 yards.

Anthony Glennon became Barrow’s third booking after 67 minutes but again his tackle on Lee O’Connor’s was borderline red.

Canavan made his bow as a 73rd replacement for injured Tom Beadling, the first substitute introduced by either side.

Farman produced a fingertip save as O’Connor let fly from 25 yards while Doohan denied Rooney at the expense of a corner 11 minutes from time.

Glennon’s sensational left wing cross was perfect for Amadi-Holloway but the new boy fluffed the close range shot to become the AFC hero once more.